Kalidindi sets new record

Midrand Knights Cricket Club first team took on Zulfikaars Cricket Club away in Lenasia in an SA4 fixture.

Midrand won the toss and elected to bat.

The chairperson of Knights, Jeremy Meiring said their opening batsmen, Syed Shahab and Vikas Mathur, played with real freedom. “They hit the ball to all corners of the ground, putting on 137 runs off just 92 balls for the first wicket.”

In the 16th over, Mathur was caught at leg slip for a well played 61 (44 balls), and Shahab was joined by Varma Kalidindi.

The pair added another 100-run partnership before Shahab was caught at mid-off for a well played 78 (63). With the score on 237/2, Santosh Raichetti entered the fray.

Kalidindi hit 17 sixes and 12 fours, scoring 194 off just 65 balls, and in the process set a new club record for an individual score. He also ensured that the team crossed the 400-run mark, scoring 404/2 (35), which is also a new club record.

Knights opening bowlers, Somu Shekar 1/13 (3 overs) and Srini Vadlamuri 0/22 (4) took control of the match, restricting the hosts from scoring freely.

“Vamshi Vure was used at first change and ripped through the opposition batting line-up, taking 5/22 (7),” said Meiring.

“His spell left Zulfikaars on 189/7 after 29 overs. Time was called and Zulfikaars was awarded 60 penalty runs because we couldn’t finish our allotted 35 overs in time.”

This meant that Zulfikaars ended on 249/7 (35) with Knights winning by 155 runs. The Man of the Match was awarded to Kalidindi.